As trade deadline acquisitions report to their new teams, teams are busy making room for them on their respective rosters. That can mean some notable departures, and indeed that was the case Thursday in Philadelphia and Boston. Most notably, the Phillies released shortstop Daddy Gregorius, and the Red Sox parted ways with outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Gregorius, 32, was in his third season with Philly. He enjoyed a productive shortened 2020 season after signing with the Phillies as a free agent, but has hit just .210/.267/.345 in 166 games since the start of the 2021 season. Was successful. This season, he’s been even worse. OPS+ The Phillies’ recent trade acquisitions of Noah Syndergaard and Brandon Marsh, plus the activations of Kyle Gibson (bereavement list) and Jane Segura (injury list), created a roster crunch in which Gregorius was a casualty. Moving forward, Segura should be the Phillies’ primary second baseman, while Gregorius is owed the remainder of his $15.25 million salary for 2022 with rookie Bryson Stott moving to shortstop.
Gregorius has hit 134 home runs over parts of 11 major league seasons. nearly 9,000 defensive innings at shortstop; and the battle of 17.8.
In Boston, Bradley Jr. ends his time thanks to a second straight season of extreme offensive struggles. Bradley, 32, still profiles as a plus defensive outfielder, but cratered production at the plate — a 44 OPS+ since the start of last season — has overwhelmed any other considerations. He has an $11 million salary outstanding for this season. Tommy Pham’s deadline extension may have led to the Red Sox’s decision to cut ties with Bradley, who recently ceded his center field job to Jaren Doran.
Bradley has one All-Star appearance, one Gold Glove, and a 17.3 WAR for his career.